Complex UV Layout in Maya
Over the last couple of years UV layout in Maya has changed for the better. In this course we're going to be taking a look at some of those changes as we UV map an entire character
# 1 26-11-2007 , 06:11 PM
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Beowolf VS. Cutesy Animation Films

I've watched Beowulf about 4 times already. I am completely left in awe! I feel like American Popculture is finally ready for different types genres of Animation. Enough with the Cutesy Fluffy animal characters already! I feel like for the past few decades we have explored this genre and done it to death. Don't get me wrong I love Disney and Pixar, but I figure it's time for a change in animation. One of the reasons I went into games was because of the diverse types of genres there are. Ok, let's not beat around the bush! I wanted to help create destruction and mayhem! lol Asia and Europe is way ahead of us in this topic. They even have 3D porn now.

What do you guys think? Is America popculture ready for this new type of animation film movement?


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# 2 26-11-2007 , 07:36 PM
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Hell Yeah :attn:

Over the years CGI has crept into the production of live action movies, slowly taking the spot of traditional Anamatronic and card board minitures... Lets face it, with the results places like ILM (industrial light and magic) are obtaining, it won't be long before we won't even need actors (except maybe to do 3D scans.) user added image

Now, I haven't had the privilege of seeing Beo Wolf YET!!! :headbang:..... but from what I've seen and heard, nothing compares.

I'm not against Pixar style animation, in fact just the opposite, Pixar is one of the many things that motivated me to get into 3D, but mostly it was the Mind boggling Special effect, and hyper real scenes that could not be accomplished with any amount of cranes, rigs, jig's, and stunt actors in padded suits.... not to mention an multi million dollar budget.... Now that's what got begging for knowledge, and to hopefully to oneday work on the next Transformers movie, or the next King Kong.

So, you ask me if Americas popculture is ready for it.... I say HELL YEAH!


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"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"
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Last edited by Mayaniac; 26-11-2007 at 07:39 PM.
# 3 26-11-2007 , 08:33 PM
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Yeah, I think so too. There were a few misses though. For example "Final Fantasy: The spirits Within". I personally like it. The story was a bit too much for audiences, but the animation and effects were jaw dropping. Then there was "Final Fantasy Advent Children", it was well done but again the story did not relate to audiences here in the US. It was a good move on square enix to make it straight to DVD.

I think that the industry is starting to realize that animation is not just for kids anymore and that there is a broader audience. Kinda like the gaming industry.


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# 4 26-11-2007 , 09:05 PM
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I'm not a big fan of the final fantasy game series, or the movies. witch i found strange because i love allot of the original Japanese Manga style movies, such as. Apple Seed , Akira (They're my two favs.) as well as the old animated series, Guyver. user added image

I agree that making a move toward incorporating 3D into the creation of "real" movies would be a good thing, though allot (and i mean allot) of people will disagree, such as big movie buffs and Oldie style Directors and producers, who were brought up watching flying saucers hung on fishing wire, with 'Mother Ship' wrote on the side in permanent marker.

I personally am a big fan of horror movies and do feel that 3D isn't quite ready to handle this Genre just yet, or other genres thats require allot of depth of character, and mood.
Which i don't believe would be rightly justified in 3D.
I know what I'm saying might be contradicting my previous statements, but i feel CGI would make for some brilliant Fantasy movies...... but in other movies, theres just something about having really people behind a camera that CGI just can't replace.

To the future of CGI user added image


www.stevenegan-cgi.com

"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"
"Um, this isn't Mars. This is Earth."
"Earth? Earth-with-nuclear-weapons Earth?"
"Yes."
[long pause] "Friend!!"
# 5 26-11-2007 , 09:18 PM
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flying saucers hung on fishing wire, with 'Mother Ship' wrote on the side

LOL FUnny! I love that example!


I agree with you, we can't replace the classics. Imagine a digital Marlon Brando in the Godfather! crazy! Anywho, I personally think we are in the beginning stages of what will become a great genre. Beowulf is the first step into this and people are liking it! no more fuzzy rabbit movies! lol


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# 6 26-11-2007 , 09:38 PM
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Well, i wouldn't call it a new Genre, but simply a new medium in which to convey the many Genres.

As long as they don't go and try and create the wrong movies. I think we could be in for a sweet ride! user added image

All you can do is hope they play their cards right. user added image


user added image


www.stevenegan-cgi.com

"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"
"Um, this isn't Mars. This is Earth."
"Earth? Earth-with-nuclear-weapons Earth?"
"Yes."
[long pause] "Friend!!"
# 7 26-11-2007 , 10:25 PM
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Well the medium is still animation. I think it's genre because it's action/adventure but still made in the same medium, animation.


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# 8 26-11-2007 , 11:01 PM
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Well, theres no point fussing over the particulars.

The fact is CGI in movies, is here to stay, and I'll drink to that (when it's legal for me to drink) user added image

user added image


www.stevenegan-cgi.com

"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"
"Um, this isn't Mars. This is Earth."
"Earth? Earth-with-nuclear-weapons Earth?"
"Yes."
[long pause] "Friend!!"
# 9 27-11-2007 , 01:10 AM
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...

AGREED! Cheers mate! user added image


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# 10 27-11-2007 , 01:58 AM
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Its really shit?
Hmmm, i don't find this 'new medium' to be appealing.
If you just look at it with a critical eye and ignore the special effects it isn't as remarkable. Ground breaking films and 'genres' (medium is coincidental) usually do so in style and content .



It is exciting to see what can be done with special effects but not surprising and was positively an inevitable step. We will definitely see films like this in the future but whether they can leave a mark as a positive progression is another question entirely.

its a shame though, high budget films cant be experimental (in terms of structure, narrative, cinematography), in any way and what this kind of approach really needs is massive experimentation user added image.

Just an opinion user added image.

I still find any stanley kubrik and hichcock more mind blowing!

# 11 27-11-2007 , 03:55 AM
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On one hand I think its great that its been done all CGI, but on the other i'm not blown away by it, looking at the trailers (as ive not seen the movie) I think its got a way to go yet as to me it looks "creepy"


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# 12 27-11-2007 , 04:20 PM
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gster123:

You know I completely agree with you. I felt the same way when I saw the trailer. I gave the movie a chance due to the fact that my friend was dying to see it. After that I was amazed. Give it a chance. Sure there are some animation problems, since everything is Mocap. But it's something I overlooked when I got into the plot. Angelie Jolie is hot in it! lol


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# 13 27-11-2007 , 04:26 PM
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LauriePriest:

Yeah! you can never replace the impact of traditional films. I don't think that they'll ever go away or get rid of real actors. We need more fellini's, leones, coppolas, kubriks and scorceses. I think what beowolf has done is just upped the bar and helped implement a greater impact of what animation can also be. Other than furry cutesy characters. DOn't get me wrong, Pixar is great in what they do. But there is a broader audience out there other than kids.


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# 14 27-11-2007 , 08:23 PM
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I think no matter how far the medium is pushed it comes to the producers and writers to make something truly incredible. An amazing story speaks for itself, when 3d no linger trys to speak for a story by being obtuse in it we will see 3d be more accepted, no producer wants to risk a movie by doing it in a manor less presentable. Thats the problem most people have I think, when its put into cg the animation is more of a focus, and when its actors they're just part of the story that no one thinks about. Simply its in the way. Mind you with the new abilities of the major studios to render and create with cg its coming to that point, but I still think Steven King belongs in a traditional medium so it can be absorbed better, until the surrealism of cg melds better with our natural sense of reality.

# 15 27-11-2007 , 08:32 PM
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Very true wokendreams!

As Brad Bird said: Story, Story, Story!
That's what makes a great movie. You could have all the fancy lights and Trinkets but if the story is weak than the movie fails.


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